God in Ukraine by Matty Fearon from BMS World Mission

Ukraine and the indomitable spirit: Matty Fearon from BMS World Mission examines what happens when God breaks through.

When Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, our thoughts at BMS World Mission first turned to our partners on the ground in Donbas, the region of Ukraine that includes the disputed territories Luhansk and Donetsk. Long before the devastation made it on to our news bulletins, Baptist churches in the region were living and responding to wartime conditions. Our support through the European Baptist Federation focused on humanitarian aid during the cruel winter months, including food packages, hygiene products, heaters, thermal underwear and water heaters. This on-the-ground preparedness, knowledge and the strong network of Baptist churches across the region shaped the speed and effectiveness of BMS’ help in that crucial first week.

Yet, two months ago I was ignorant as to the sheer extent of Baptist congregations across Ukraine and its neighbouring countries. Now, as the war grinds into a second month, at BMS I get to hear and read about the soul-stirring actions of Baptists across the region. The Baptist family is the largest Protestant denomination in Ukraine and, according to the updates via email and WhatsApp from the Union of Ukrainian Baptists, churches are involved in every aspect of the humanitarian response, including evacuation, resettlement, delivery of homecooked food and supplies, and prayer support.

In this last week, I’ve read reports from our partners on the ground of Baptist volunteers helping to build temporary hospitals in the Ukrainian city of Lviv, while local pastors are offering spiritual care to the patients and medics as well as training others to do the same. In another message, the dark and light of conflict is made clear. It tells of a bridge blown out in Chernihiv, cutting off aid and evacuation routes to the city. Yet, it also tells of a Baptist couple married in the same war-torn district, the couple spending their time volunteering with Baptists in the days leading up to their wedding.

Just today, a story reached me from Severodonetsk, where the Church of the Transfiguration continues to evacuate families, host the homeless and distribute food kits to sick and elderly people in the city. The church was only established in 2016 and had previously focused its ministry on people struggling with addictions. Their activities in the war mean that ‘former alcoholics and drug addicts have become true heroes of the faith, preaching the gospel and hope in the Lord.’ There is a similar activity in both Luhansk and Donetsk. Earlier this week, the Church of Lysychansk in Luhansk gave out ‘a glass of sugar, five or six potatoes, half a loaf of bread and 500g of grits’ (ground corn) to everyone who visited the church that day. The food is brought from the nearest cities of the Donetsk region, such as Bakhmut, Pokrovskaya or Druzhkovka. Church deacon Stepan Kozodoy gave an insight into the practicalities of providing this: ‘Unfortunately, food runs out quickly, and we need to go there and back, again and again,’ he said. ‘Lots of money is spent on fuel, for buses and generators. One of the buses breaks every now and then.’

I am amazed daily by the indomitable spirit of Ukrainians. I attended a prayer meeting where Pastor Igor, Vice-President of the Union of Ukrainian Baptists, reflected on 2 Corinthians 1:8-10. He shared how through the uncertainty of war, Ukrainian Christians have to make a daily decision to trust in God and his provision. ‘We continue to work,’ Pastor Igor said. ‘Why? Because God continues to work in us through his strength’. When Pastor Igor shared a laugh during the meeting, he said that it was a sign that God was breaking through in Ukraine.

Seeing millions of people forced to leave their homes and be at the mercy of strangers should remind us of who Jesus tells us our neighbours really are. Witnessing death, pain and suffering affecting Ukraine should cause us to yearn for a certain hope that can never falter. With these images of desperation in our minds, the timely message of Easter is that such a hope exists. The Bible reminds us that everlasting hope is found not ultimately in dishonest politicians or belligerent nations but in the counter-cultural message of the gospel, our sure hope in the crucified and risen Son of God, Jesus Christ.

Matty Fearon

Matty is Head of Communications at BMS World Mission.

To keep up-to-date with news from Ukraine and its neighbouring countries and find out more about our Ukraine response please sign-up to our weekly newsletter. If you would like to make a donation to support our response please visit www.bmsworldmission.org/appeal/ukraine-2022/.